White paper: The European Machinery Directive and risk assessment

The European Machinery Directive as well as its implementations on a national level (in Germany ProdSG and 9 ProdSV) require machine manufacturers to perform a risk assessment as part of their design process. Where applicable, only safe machines may be put into circulation in Europe after sufficient risk reduction measures have been taken.

The German Industrial Safety Regulation requires operators of machine systems to perform regularly recurring risk assessment. The aim is to protect operating and maintenance staff of production systems in line with state-of-the-art technology by retrofitting safety technology, if necessary.

Both risk and hazard assessment are important steps…